When we think about hydration, most of us picture a glass of water. But full-body hydration goes much deeper, reaching your joints, eyes, skin, hair and scalp, all of which need plenty of moisture to look and work their best.
What full-body hydration really means
Drinking water is only part of the story. Your body also needs a way to hold that water in the places that rely on it most, and that's where hyaluronic acid (HA) comes in. HA is a long-chain molecule your body makes naturally, and it has a remarkable affinity for water: a single HA molecule can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It binds that moisture into a smooth, gel-like substance that cushions, lubricates and hydrates tissues throughout your body. Let's look at the five areas, or elements, where HA's hydrating power matters most.
Element 1: Joints
Your joints give you the strength and mobility you need to live, work and play, and some of them carry your full weight every time you walk, climb or jump. To move smoothly, they rely on synovial fluid, a thick, slippery liquid found in joints like your knees, hips, shoulders and elbows. HA is a key component of that fluid. It holds water in place to keep your joints cushioned and lubricated, so the surfaces glide past each other with very little friction. As we get older, our bodies naturally produce less HA, even though our joints still need the same cushioning. You can learn more in The 5 Pillars of Hydration: #1 – Joint Health.
Element 2: Eyes
Your eyes depend on high levels of moisture to function well. Much of the eye's volume is made up of the vitreous humor, a clear, gel-like substance that helps the eye keep its shape for clear focus, cushions it from everyday bumps, and supports the structures inside it. HA is naturally found in the vitreous humor, where it helps hold water to keep the eye plump and well hydrated. It also moves easily between cells, helping to carry nutrients where they're needed. As HA levels naturally decline with age, supporting your body's supply can help maintain normal eye function and health.* Read more in The 5 Pillars of Hydration: #2 – Eyes.
Element 3: Skin
Your skin is your body's largest organ, protecting you every day from sun, wind, temperature changes and pollution. To do that job well, it needs to stay soft, supple and resilient, and that takes moisture. About half of all the HA in your body is found in your skin. While oil-based moisturizers mainly work on the outer layer, HA helps hydrate the deeper layer of skin beneath it, the dermis, where collagen and elastin give your skin its structure and bounce. As HA levels decline with age, skin can start to feel drier and look less plump, which is why both topical and oral HA can help support skin hydration.*
Element 4: Hair and scalp
The skin on your scalp is thin, less than a millimeter at the surface, and beneath it lies the dermis, a layer rich in HA, collagen and elastin where your hair follicles sit. When your scalp lacks moisture, it can feel dry and tight, and your hair can look brittle, limp and dull. HA helps hydrate the scalp and supports the hair shaft in staying supple, for hair that looks healthier and more lustrous. Find out more in The 5 Pillars of Hydration: #4 – Scalp and Hair, or explore our hair and scalp products.
Element 5: A youthful-looking appearance
We all want to look and feel our best as the years go by, and moisture plays a big part in that. Well-hydrated skin looks smoother, plumper and more radiant, and a hydrated scalp supports fuller, shinier-looking hair. HA helps your body maintain the moisture that collagen and elastin need to keep skin looking supple and firm. This is where all the other elements come together: when your skin, hair and scalp are well hydrated, it shows. Read more in The 5 Pillars of Hydration: #3 – Ageless Beauty.
Why HA levels matter as we age
If your body makes its own hyaluronic acid, why think about supplements or skincare? Because production naturally slows as we get older. By age 50, we may have only about half the HA we had in our mid-20s, yet our joints, eyes, skin and hair still need the same hydration. Supporting your body's HA levels, through topical skincare, an oral supplement or both, can help maintain healthy hydration as natural production declines.* At Hyalogic®, we've studied the science of hydration for more than two decades. Our products use high molecular weight HA, the same kind your body produces naturally.
Supporting all five elements
Full-body hydration comes down to three simple habits:
- Drink water steadily: give your body plenty of water to work with throughout the day.
- Hydrate from the outside: apply an HA serum such as Pure HA Serum to damp skin, then seal it in with a moisturizer.
- Support from the inside: an oral HA supplement like Synthovial SEVEN® helps support joint comfort, skin hydration and normal eye function, all in one daily serving.*
Your joints, eyes, skin, hair and scalp all depend on moisture to look and work their best. Explore Hyalogic's full range of hyaluronic acid products for every element of hydration.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.